Arteta gives Arsenal boost as he prepares to return this week

The key midfielder has an outside chance of being involved against West Ham on Wednesday and should be fully fit for the FA Cup trip to Brighton at the weekend

EXCLUSIVEBy Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Mikel Arteta is ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury and is set to return to the Arsenal team this week, Goal.comunderstands.

The Spaniard is believed to have an outside chance of being involved in the Premier League match against West Ham on Wednesday night and should be fully fit in time for Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Brighton.

Arteta’s impending return is a boost for the north Londoners, who have lost two of the three matches that he has missed.

Arsene Wenger will be keen to re-integrate the key player, who is regarded as one of the team’s few dressing room leaders, back into the set-up, given the lack of central midfield alternatives at the club.

With Jack Wilshere pushed further forward, Abou Diaby and the inexperienced Francis Coquelin have been the midfield pairing in the last two matches.

Arteta first felt pain in his calf ahead of the Capital One Cup tie against Bradford City last month and was an unused substitute in a game which Arsenal dismally lost on penalties.

But tests have shown that there is no long-term damage and he will soon be back in training.